STEPPING UP [BOYXBOY]✔️

CHAPTER 18: TRICKS AND DETERMINATION

PETER PARKER
Present

I listened to Quentin's soft, quiet snores that he would occasionally let out once in a while. I gazed up at him and the moonlight coming from the window illuminated his features. I rubbed my thumb over his lips and smiled as he leaned into my touch, still unconscious. I snuggled closer to him and pressed a soft kiss against his lips, adoring the way he felt next to me.

I carefully untangled myself from his arms and slipped out of the bed while being as quiet as possible. I started taking off my clothes so that I could change into my suit. I was going to turn myself in. It was the only way to make sure Aunt May was safe and that he wouldn't harm anyone else I cared about.

I fumbled around in the dark until I finally got it on, looking sadly at Quentin, knowing it'd be the last time I ever saw him. I tiptoed toward him and placed another delicate kiss against his addictive lips. He let out a quiet moan when I pulled away but he remained asleep and I chuckled silently.

I tugged my mask over my face and shut the door quietly. I was about to go into the elevator but thought about never seeing everyone else again. I sighed and made my way toward the room Ned was staying in.

He was snoring so loudly that I was surprised the
entire building wasn't shaking. He looked so peaceful in his sleep though.

I then went over to Happy's and peeked in. I frowned. His entire bed was covered in tissues and he looked like he was dead. I'd never seen him so miserable before and it absolutely broke my heart.

Don't worry Happy, I'm about to bring her back to you.

I finally stopped at the elevator, clicking the button to go down before I heard a cough from behind me and I spun around frantically.

MJ.

To be honest, I had kind of forgotten about her.

"Are you sneaking out?" She whispered, clutching a glass of water in her hands, "To find May?"

I gulped and averted my eyes, "Depends." I mumbled and she took a sip of her drink before placing it on a stool beside us.

"On what?" She asked me and took a step forward, causing me to subconsciously take a step back.

"If you'd try to stop me or not." I fiddled with my fingers and shuffled my feet nervously.

She looked at me so intensely with no definitive emotion expressed on her face, "No."

My lips parted in shock as I was taken aback, "No? You wouldn't try to stop me?"

She shook her head, "People have to do what they have to do. If you have your mind set on something then there's not much you can do about it. If I tried to stop you then you'd just figure out another way to get to her."

She has a point.

"Thank you." I offered a half smile.

She nodded and twirled a strand of her hair anxiously, "I heard about you and Mysterio, by the way." My face paled.

"MJ, I'm so sorry." I began but she interrupted me.

"It's fine, really." She grinned but it didn't reach her eyes, "It would've been nice to get a heads up but I get that you're going through a lot and I can't hold it against you."

I sighed in relief and surprisingly pulled her into a hug, "Thank you." I murmured, "You deserve better anyway. You're a really great girl." I admitted to her.

"I am pretty great." She teased, pulling away with a chuckle, "But on a more serious note, you need to stop being so insecure. It's endearing, but unhealthy."